poke about
Search without purpose
To poke about is to search or explore in an unhurried, somewhat aimless way, typically by moving things around or looking through them: I spent the afternoon poking about in the attic.
The phrase suggests curiosity rather than urgency—rummaging through old boxes, wandering through antique shops, or nosing around someone else's business.
British English favors poke about; Americans more often say poke around.
- rummageSearch unsystematically through clutter
- browseSurvey without intent
- snoop aroundSearch secretively through spaces
- huntPursuit of quarry
- grubFood or larva
search · ask around · scavenge · feel around · forage · delve · rootle · fumble · nose around · root around · sift · rifle through · ferret around · dig around · inquiry · look-see · investigation · probe
poke aboutcomb through
Search systematically and thoroughly
scour · hunt down · ransack · leave no stone unturned · zero in on
poke aboutget down to business
Begin focused work
focus · leave alone · sit still · stay put · stay on track
poke aboutretrieve
Get something back
grab and go · zero in on · target · fetch · get down to business